Fishermen shoot crocodile

A group of commercial fishermen have been filmed appearing to shoot dead a crocodile that got caught in their fishing net in the Northern Territory.

The video, which was posted online before being removed this week, has angered some people who claim commercial fishing groups regularly kill crocodiles and sharks that get tangled.

The footage shows three men in a small motorboat hauling in their catch to find a crocodile caught in the net, jaws gnashing as it is dragged out of the water.

One man points a handgun at the crocodile and shoots it at point-blank-range in the head, after which it goes limp in the water.

The Northern Territory Seafood Council (NTSC), who administers the commercial fishing code of conduct, said that shooting crocodiles or sharks was sometimes the best option and the men in the video were acting within the law.

"Unfortunately there are times when due to the safety risks posed to the crew that it is not practical for the crew to cut dangerous animals such as crocodiles or sharks free from the gear and the animal is shot," NTSC chief executive Katherine Sarneckis told the NT News.

Ms Sarneckis said commercial fishers were advised to identify how badly an animal was tangled and try to free it whenever possible.

But the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries spokesman Bill Whitington said it was illegal to shoot crocodiles.

Barramundi fishing guide Geoff Corry said that he had seen numerous crocodiles, sharks, dugongs and sawfish killed needlessly by commercial fishermen and he believed they typically made no effort to save animals.